Card game and method of playing a card game

ABSTRACT

A system and method for playing a card game are disclosed. The card game may be played with a real deck of cards and an associated playing surface or with a virtual deck of cards as part of a virtual card game on a processor-based platform. The method comprises placing at least one wager by betting a monetary amount and choosing a betting number or a range of betting numbers during a current round of play. The method further comprises dealing at least two playing cards and revealing a face of each of the dealt playing cards during the current round of play. The method also includes summing face values of the revealed playing cards to form at least one summed value for the current round of play. The method also comprises comparing the at least one summed value to the betting number or the range of betting numbers for each wager for the current round of play to determine any winning wagers. The method further includes paying any winning wager according to the monetary amount bet and odds associated with the winning wager for the current round of play.

REFERENCE

This application claims priority to provisional U.S. Patent ApplicationSer. No. 60/616,451, filed on Oct. 6, 2004, which is incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Certain embodiments of the present invention relate to a card game andmethod of playing a card game. Certain embodiments of the presentinvention relate to methods and systems for playing a card game inconjunction with wagering. It is to be appreciated, however, that themethod of playing a card game may find further applications in areasoutside of the wagering arena.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Oftentimes, to non-initiated players, casino games such as roulette canbe intimidating. For example, roulette incorporates many alternate waysof wagering and these wagering alternatives can confuse non-initiatedplayers. Therefore, players unfamiliar with roulette and other casinogames may hesitate to play. Consequently, there is a need for acasino-style game that provides easily understood wagering principleswhile, at the same time, provides the excitement associated with othercasino games. Also, providing a casino-style game in a format or using amedia that is likely already familiar to a player is desirable.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional, traditional, andproposed approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art,through comparison of such systems and methods with the presentinvention as set forth in the remainder of the present application withreference to the drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention provides a method of playing acard game. The method comprises placing at least one wager by betting amonetary amount and choosing one or more betting number(s) or a range ofbetting numbers during a current round of play. The method furthercomprises dealing at least two playing cards and revealing a face ofeach of the dealt playing cards during the current round of play. Themethod also includes summing face values of the revealed playing cardsto form at least one summed value for the current round of play. Thesummed value is compared to the at least one chosen summed value orbetting number(s) or the range of betting numbers for each wager in thecurrent round of play, to determine any winning wagers. In anembodiment, the game is played as a wagering game, wherein the methodfurther comprises placing at least one wager by betting a monetaryamount, and paying on any winning wagers. Alternatively, or in additionto guessing/wagering related to the outcome of the flipped cards,players may also be allowed to make further bets or guesses relating tothe “flipped” cards. For example, the player may guess/bet on thepossibility that certain recognized cards appear in that particularround of play/wagering. As examples: In the game of Pinnochle, it isrecognized and understood that the QUEEN of SPADES and the JACK ofDIAMONDS constitute pinnochle and you count your melt accordingly. Inthe game of Kasino, it is recognized and understood that the TEN ofDIAMONDS and DEUCE of SPADES are known as Big and Little Kasinorespectively. Further, such cards as the JACK of SPADES and the JACK ofHEARTS, are recognized as one-eyed Jacks, because they have only oneeye. Example: The KING of DIAMONDS is the only one- eyed King. These areoften wild cards in various card games. Bets/guesses on such cards maytherefore give the players an award separate and in addition to whateverthy may have been entitled to from correctly guessing/hitting theirwagered added sum or range. In such an example, after the cards aredisplayed, if Queen of Spades and/or Jack of Diamonds are both in thedisplay, the player wins a supplemental award/credits. If the JACK ofSPADES and/or the JACK of HEARTS appear, the player wins a supplementalaward/credits, and the like. This type of winning may be based upon awinning wager relating to chosen sequence, or separate and apart fromsuch a wager. The method further includes paying any winning wageraccording to the monetary amount bet and odds associated with thewinning wager for the current round of play.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a processor-based systemfor implementing a virtual card game. The processor-based systemcomprises at least one processor to execute playing of the virtual cardgame, and wherein the playing of the virtual card game comprises thesteps of electronically dealing at least two playing cards andelectronically revealing a face of each of the dealt playing cardsduring the current round of play. The method also includeselectronically summing face values of the revealed playing cards to format least one summed value for the current round of play. The method alsocomprises electronically comparing the at least one summed value to theat least one betting number or the range of betting numbers for eachwager for the current round of play to determine any winning wagers. Inan embodiment, the method may be played as a wagering game, and furthercomprises placing at least one wager by betting a monetary amount on oneor more betting number(s) or the range of betting numbers during acurrent round of play, and electronically paying any winning wageraccording to the monetary amount bet and odds associated with thewinning wager for the current round of play. The system furthercomprises a program memory interfacing to the at least one processor tostore software associated with the virtual card game and a userinterface connecting to the at least one processor to allow a player ofthe virtual card game to select various functional inputs of the virtualcard game. The system further comprises an image memory interfacing tothe at least one processor to store image data of the virtual card gameto be displayed. The system also includes a display controllerinterfacing to the image memory to extract image data from the imagememory in a controlled manner and to convert the image data to videodata. The system further includes a display interfacing to the displaycontroller to accept the video data from the display controller suchthat the video data is presented to the player on the display.

Alternative embodiments may implement the game in an instant lotteryticket game format, wherein representations of cards are selectivelyrevealed. Such representations may typically be masked or covered insome way, and subsequently selectively revealed to play the game. Insuch an embodiment, the wager placed on the game could also be selectedby the player, or the odds of winning chosen by a player, as a part ofplaying the game, or such variables may be set by the game distributor,as desired. The placing of a wager by the player may simply comprisebuying the lottery ticket.

These and other advantages and novel features of the present invention,as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, will be morefully understood from the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exemplary flowchart of an embodiment of a method of playinga card game, in accordance with various aspects of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a first exemplary embodiment of a playing surfacelayout to accommodate betting for a non-virtual version of the method ofFIG. 1, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of aprocessor-based system for implementing a virtual card game using themethod of FIG. 1, in accordance with various aspects of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a user interface image displayed bythe processor-based system of FIG. 3 showing an arrangement of dealtcards face down.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of an image displayed by theprocessor-based system of FIG. 3 after a current round of play.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of an image displayed by theprocessor-based system of FIG. 3 after a current round of play.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of an image displayed by theprocessor-based system of FIG. 3 after a current round of play.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of an image displayed by theprocessor-based system of FIG. 3 after a current round of play.

FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of an image displayed by theprocessor-based system of FIG. 3 after a current round of play.

FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of an image displayed by theprocessor-based system of FIG. 3 after a current round of play.

FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a playing surface layoutto accommodate betting for a non-virtual version of the method of FIG.1.

FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of a lottery type of game according tothe invention, wherein representations of playing cards are disposed ona playing surface layout to accommodate betting for a non-virtualversion of the methods.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is an exemplary flowchart 100 of an embodiment of a method ofplaying a card game, in accordance with various aspects of the presentinvention. In this embodiment, the game is played as a wagering game,with either monetary or psuedo-monetary wagers made. At step 110, atleast one wager is placed by betting a monetary amount and choosing atleast one betting number or a range of betting numbers during a currentround of play. In step 120, at least two playing cards are dealt and theface of each of the dealt playing cards is revealed during the currentround of play. In step 130, the face values of the revealed playingcards are summed to form at least one summed value for the current roundof play. In step 140, the at least one summed value is compared to thebetting number or the range of betting numbers for each wager for thecurrent round of play to determine any winning wagers. In step 150, anywinning wager is paid according to the monetary amount bet and the oddsassociated with the winning wager for the current round of play.

Alternatively, or in addition to guessing/wagering related to theoutcome of the flipped cards, players may also be allowed to makefurther bets or guesses relating to the “flipped” cards. For example,the player may guess/bet on the possibility that certain recognizedcards appear in that particular round of play/wagering. As examples: Inthe game of Pinnochle, it is recognized and understood that the QUEEN ofSPADES and the JACK of DIAMONDS constitute pinnochle and you count yourmelt accordingly. In the game of Kasino, it is recognized and understoodthat the TEN of DIAMONDS and DEUCE of SPADES are known as Big and LittleKasino respectively. Further, such cards as the JACK of SPADES and theJACK of HEARTS, are recognized as one-eyed Jacks, because they have onlyone eye. Example: The KING of DIAMONDS is the only one- eyed King. Theseare often wild cards in various card games. Bets/guesses on such cardsmay therefore give the players an award separate and in addition towhatever thy may have been entitled to from correctly guessing/hittingtheir wagered added sum or range. In such an example, after the cardsare displayed, if Queen of Spades and/or Jack of Diamonds are both inthe display, the player wins a supplemental award/credits. If the JACKof SPADES and/or the JACK of HEARTS appear, the player wins asupplemental award/credits, and the like. This type of winning may bebased upon a winning wager relating to chosen added sum or range, orseparate and apart from such a wager.

As used herein, the term “playing cards” shall mean actual playing cardsor any other representation of playing cards, whether electronically,printed or otherwise.

As used herein, the term “shuffling” shall mean any physical or otherrepresentation or step of mixing playing cards in a normal randomfashion, whether electronically or otherwise.

As used herein, the term “dealing or dealt” shall mean any physical orother representation or step of disposing the cards into a desiredformat to be revealed and/or displaying the playing cards orrepresentations, whether electronically or otherwise.

As used herein, the term “wagering or placing at least one wager” shallmean any physical or other representation or step of placing monetary orpsuedo-monetary bets in a normal gambling sense, whether electronicallyor otherwise.

As used herein, the term “paying” shall mean any physical or otherrepresentation or step of paying or awarding based upon the monetary orpsuedo-monetary bet in a normal gambling sense, whether electronicallyor otherwise.

As used herein, the term “cutting” shall mean any physical or otherrepresentation or step of reordering playing cards in a normal randomfashion, whether electronically or otherwise. It should also beunderstood that the cutting of the deck of cards may be unnecessary asthe cards could be suitably randomized by shuffling alone.

Similarly, references to cards or the playing of a game according to theinvention may be implemented in any desired format, and the describedembodiments are only examples of such formats.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a playing surface layout200 to accommodate betting for a non-virtual version of the method 100of FIG. 1, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.The playing surface 200 may be in the form of a casino table or a boardgame, for example. As seen in FIG. 2, the playing surface layout 200comprises placeholders 210, 211, and 212 defining three positions towhich three playing cards may be dealt from a standard deck of fifty-twoplaying cards. The playing surface layout 200 also includes anarrangement of betting numbers 220 on which a player may place, forexample, chips or money when placing a bet at the beginning of a roundof play. The playing surface layout 200 also includes a first range ofnumbers position 230 and a second range of numbers position 240 allowinga player to bet on one of two ranges of numbers by, for example, placingchips or money on the positions 230 and/or 240 at the beginning of around of play. The playing surface layout 200 also comprises a bettingnumber position 250 corresponding to betting on the number “21”.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, players mayselect or bet on the range of betting numbers 230 which includes thenumbers from “3-10”, the range of betting numbers 240 which includes thenumbers from “28-30”, any of the betting numbers in the arrangement 220ranging from “11-20” and “22-27”, and the betting number “21” (position250). The payoff odds for the ranges of betting number 230 and 240 is15-to-1, and is 40-to-1 for any one of the betting numbers in thearrangement 220. The payoff odds for the betting number 250 is 20-to-1.

In accordance with various alternative embodiments of the presentinvention, the playing surface layout 200 may include placeholdersdefining positions which a number of playing cards other than three maybe dealt. Also, other betting number arrangements and ranges arepossible as well. Other non-standard decks may be used as well, inaccordance with various alternative embodiments of the presentinvention.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the facevalue of cards having numbers two to ten is “two to ten” respectively.The face value of an Ace may be “one” or “eleven” as an example. Theface value of a Jack, a Queen, and a King is typically “ten”, butanother value may be ascribed thereto if desired.

As an example, during a round of play, a player places a wager on thenumber “22” by placing chips on that numbered position 221 on theplaying surface layout 200. A dealer then proceeds to deal three playingcards from a standard deck of playing cards into the positions 210-212.If the revealed face values of the three playing cards sums to (i.e.,adds up to) the betting number “22” (e.g., a King, a ten, and a two),then the player's wager is a winning wager.

Additionally, one ordinarily skilled in the art can appreciate, and itis contemplated that the method of play described herein may be adaptedto a computerized format (i.e., a processor-based system) including, butnot limited to, the Internet and servers, personal computers, and videogames (e.g., a handheld device or a video poker system). It is furthercontemplated that the method of play described herein may be adapted toa mechanical apparatus including, but not limited to, a slotmachine-type apparatus.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary schematic block diagram of an embodimentof a processor-based system 300 for implementing a virtual card gameusing the method 100 of FIG. 1, in accordance with various aspects ofthe present invention. The system 300 comprises a processor 310, aprogram memory 320 storing virtual card game software 325, a userinterface 330, an image memory 340, a display controller 350, and adisplay 360.

The processor 310 interfaces to the program memory 300 and executes thevirtual card game software 325. The user interface 330 connects to theprocessor 310 to allow a player of the virtual card game to selectvarious functional inputs of the virtual card game. The image memory 340interfaces to the processor 310 to store image data to be displayed. Thedisplay controller 350 interfaces to the image memory 340 to extractimage data from the image memory in a controlled manner and convert theimage data to video data. The display 360 interfaces to the displaycontroller 350 to accept video data from the display controller 350 suchthat the video data is presented to a player on the display 360.

The virtual card game software 325 is the executable program to run thevirtual card game. The user interface 330 may comprise, for example, akeyboard, a mouse, a touch-screen (i.e., the user interface 330 iscombined with the display 360), or push buttons. The functional inputscontrolled through the user interface 330 include, for example, anability to select a monetary amount per wager, an ability to select atleast one betting number and/or betting number range for wagering, andan ability to select that a virtual deck of playing cards be shuffledand/or cut and dealt.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a user interface image 400displayed by the processor-based system 300 of FIG. 3 showing anarrangement of dealt cards 410 face down, in accordance with variousaspects of the present invention. The arrangement 410 is a substantiallylinear arrangement of three playing cards. In accordance with anembodiment of the present invention, the cards are electronically dealtand displayed as if the cards were randomly dealt from a shuffled deckof cards. Before the cards 410 are revealed or, alternatively, beforethe cards are even dealt, a player may use, for example, a mouse toclick on one of the betting numbers 420 or ranges of betting numbers 430or 440 displayed on the user interface image 400 to select a bettingnumber or range of betting numbers for wagering. The player may alsoenter a dollar amount (e.g., $20) to wager in the betting window 450. Anaccount window “Credits” 460 is initialized to a starting dollar amount(e.g., $1000). The player then clicks on the “Deal” icon 470 to revealthe faces of the dealt cards 410. Any winnings, based on the bet amountand the odds, are displayed in the winnings window 480.

FIG. 5 illustrates a first exemplary embodiment of an image 500displayed by the processor-based system 300 of FIG. 3 after a currentround of play, in accordance with various aspects of the presentinvention. Referring to FIG. 5, a player has wagered that the bettingnumber “25” 510 will be a winning number for the current round of play.The player has wagered on the betting number 510 by clicking on thecorresponding box icon 511 and entering $20 in the betting window 520.In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the bettingnumber 510 and or box icon 511 is highlighted to indicate the selectedbetting number. Indeed, the face values of the dealt cards 530 (King,ten, five) do sum to the betting number “25” and, based on the $20 betand the associated payoff odds of 40-to-1, the player's winnings is $800and is displayed in the winnings window 540. The $800 winning is alsocredited to the “Credits” window 550 which shows total current creditsof $1060. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, anotification is displayed to the player when the player wins a wager(e.g., “You WON!” 560). Similarly, a notification may be displayed tothe player when the player loses a wager.

FIG. 6 illustrates a further exemplary image 600 displayed by theprocessor-based system 300 of FIG. 3 after a current round of play, inaccordance with various aspects of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 6, a player has wagered that the betting number range “3-10” 610will be a winning bet for the current round of play. The player haswagered on the betting number 610 by clicking on the corresponding boxicon 611 and entering $20 in the betting window 620. Indeed, the facevalues of the dealt cards 630 (Ace, five, two) sum to the betting number“8” which is in the betting range 610 and, based on the $20 bet and theassociated payoff odds of 15-to-1, the player's winnings is $300 and isdisplayed in the winnings window 640. The $300 winning is also creditedto the “Credits” window 650 which shows total current credits of $420.

FIG. 7 illustrates a further exemplary image 700 displayed by theprocessor-based system 300 of FIG. 3 after a current round of play, inaccordance with various aspects of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 7, a player has wagered that the betting number range “28-30” 710will be a winning bet for the current round of play. The player haswagered on the betting number 710 by clicking on the corresponding boxicon 711 and entering $20 in the betting window 720. Indeed, the facevalues of the dealt cards 730 (eight, Jack, ten) sum to the bettingnumber “28” which is in the betting range 710 and, based on the $20 betand the associated payoff odds of 15-to-1, the player's winnings is $300and is displayed in the winnings window 740. The $300 winning is alsocredited to the “Credits” window 750 which shows total current creditsof $1300.

FIG. 8 illustrates a further exemplary image 800 displayed by theprocessor-based system 300 of FIG. 3 after a current round of play, inaccordance with various aspects of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 8, a player has wagered that the betting number “21” 810 will be awinning number for the current round of play. The player has enabled thebetting number 810 by clicking on the “Play 21” icon 811. In accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention, the betting number “21” 810is a special betting option that may be enabled. The player has wageredon the betting number 810 by clicking on the corresponding box icon 812and entering $20 in the betting window 820. Indeed, the face values ofthe dealt cards 830 (three, eight, ten) do sum to the betting number“21” and, based on the $20 bet and the associated payoff odds of20-to-1, the player's winnings is $400 and is displayed in the winningswindow 840. The $400 winning is also credited to the “Credits” window850 which shows total current credits of $1000.

FIG. 9 illustrates a further exemplary image 900 displayed by theprocessor-based system 300 of FIG. 3 after a current round of play, inaccordance with various aspects of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 9, a player has wagered that the betting number “17” 910 will be awinning number for the current round of play. The player has wagered onthe betting number 910 by clicking on the corresponding box icon 911 andentering $20 in the betting window 920. However, the face values of thedealt cards 930 (four, Jack, nine) do not sum to the betting number “17”and, therefore, the player's winnings is $0 which is displayed in thewinnings window 940. The $20 bet had been debited from the “Credits”window 950 which shows total current credits of $980. The notification960 (“Sorry, Try Again.”) is displayed to the player since the playerlost the wager for the current round of play.

FIG. 10 illustrates a further exemplary image 1000 displayed by theprocessor-based system 300 of FIG. 3 after a current round of play, inaccordance with various aspects of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 10, a player has wagered that the betting number “13” 1010 will bea winning number for the current round of play. The player has wageredon the betting number 1010 by clicking on the corresponding box icon1011 and entering $20 in the betting window 1020. However, the facevalues of the dealt cards 1030 (five, eight, three) do not sum to thebetting number “13” and, therefore, the player's winnings is $0 which isdisplayed in the winnings window 1040. The $20 bet had been debited fromthe “Credits” window 1050 which shows total current credits of $900. Thenotification 1060 (“Sorry, Try Again.”) is displayed to the player sincethe player lost the wager for the current round of play. Also, theprompt 1070 (“Try Changing Your Number!!”) is displayed to the player toencourage the player to try betting on another number in a next round ofplay.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the variouswagering options may be implemented on a physical playing surface layoutwhere real playing cards and chips are used to place wagers such asshown in FIG. 2. Such an embodiment provides a dealer to shuffle, cut,and deal the cards, and at least one player to place wagers. Such anembodiment constitutes a non-virtual version of the method of FIG. 1. Insuch an embodiment, a player “buys in” or purchases chips of a specificcolor or pattern distinct from any other player currently playing.

Certain embodiments of the present invention contemplate distinct chippatterns for each player. However, another embodiment includes standardcolor chips corresponding to a specific monetary denomination. Therationale behind the distinct chip patterns of certain embodiments is topermit the players, dealer and staff to easily distinguish one player'swagers from the others.

It may be appreciated that numerous playing variations and combinationscould be applied to the fundamental principles of the present invention.The method of the present invention may be practiced by a single playeror by multiple players, wherein the player(s) play against a housedealer, against a player banker, or each other in a no bank format.

Although certain embodiments suggest payoff odds for specific wagers, itis contemplated that the odds may be modified to accommodate variablesand preferences of individual casinos or houses. For instance, aspecific casino may choose to structure the odds to attract playerswhere others may choose to hold back on the odds giving the house anedge over the players.

It is further contemplated in another embodiment of the presentinvention that a player may use other forms of wagers including, but notlimited to, cash and coins while playing the game of the presentinvention.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, one ordinarilyskilled in the art would realize that the present invention could beplayed using more than one deck of cards. Additionally, it is understoodthat custom cards may be used in lieu of standard conventional playingcards. Accordingly, the odds of each wager may change to correspond tothe probability of a specific wager in light of the use of multipledecks or custom cards.

FIG. 11 illustrates a second exemplary embodiment of a playing surfacelayout 1100 to accommodate betting for a non-virtual version of themethod 100 of FIG. 1, in accordance with various aspects of the presentinvention. The playing surface 1100 may be in the form of a casino tableor a board game, for example. As seen in FIG. 11, the playing surfacelayout 1100 comprises an arrangement of placeholders 1110 defining athree-by-three row/column arrangement to which nine playing cards may bedealt from a standard deck of fifty-two playing cards. The playingsurface layout 1100 also includes an arrangement of betting numbers 1120on which a player may place, for example, chips or money when placing abet at the beginning of a round of play. The playing surface layout 1100also includes a first range of numbers position 1130 and a second rangeof numbers position 1140 allowing a player to bet on one of two rangesof numbers by, for example, placing chips or money on the positions 1130and/or 1140 at the beginning of a round of play. The playing surfacelayout 1100 also comprises a betting number position 1150 correspondingto betting on the number “21”.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, players maybet on the range of betting numbers 1130 which includes the numbers from“3-10”, the range of betting numbers 1140 which includes the numbersfrom “28-30”, any of the betting numbers in the arrangement 1120 rangingfrom “11-20” and “22-27”, and the betting number “21” (position 1150).The payoff odds for the ranges of betting number 1130 and 1140 is2-to-1, and is 5-to-1 for any one of the betting numbers 1120. Thepayoff odds for the betting number 1150 is 3-to-1.

Players win when their wager matches the sum of the face valuescorresponding to any of the rows 1111-1113, columns 1114-1116, ordiagonals 1117-1118 of the cards dealt into the arrangement 1110. As aresult, for any given round of play, a player has increased chances ofwinning (i.e., a total of eight chances of winning because there arethree rows, three columns, and two diagonals). However, the oddsassociated with winning are lower, in accordance with the embodiment ofFIG. 11, compared to the embodiment of FIG. 2.

Additionally, one ordinarily skilled in the art can appreciate, and itis contemplated that the method of play described with respect to FIG.11 may be adapted to a computerized format (i.e., a processor-basedsystem) including, but not limited to, the Internet and servers,personal computers, and video games (e.g., a handheld device or a videopoker system). It is further contemplated that the method of playdescribed with respect to FIG. 11 may be adapted to a mechanicalapparatus including, but not limited to, a slot machine-type apparatus.

Alternatively, turning to FIG. 12, the game 1200 may be played usingrepresentations of cards, which may be “shuffled” or randomized for usein playing the game. For example, the game may be played in the style ofan instant lottery game, where representations of cards 1202 are printedon a ticket or other medium, such as in the format shown in priorembodiments, and selectively revealed to play the game. Accordingly, theone or more betting number(s) 1204 or a range of betting numbers 1206 orthe betting number 21, represented at 1208, are also printed orotherwise disposed on the medium, and are also selectively revealed bythe player. Such representations 1202, 1204, 1206 and 1208 may typicallybe masked or covered in some way, and subsequently selectively revealed,such as by scratching, to play the game. In such an embodiment, theplayer may reveal one of the wagering number(s) 1204, 1206 or 1208, oreach of these could be revealed for possible winnings. The wager placedon the game could also be selected by the player, or the odds of winningchosen by a player, as a part of playing the game, or such variables maybe set by the game distributor, as desired. The placing of a wager bythe player may simply comprise buying the lottery ticket, or differentpricing for tickets could be provided for differing odds games. In anyevent, the wagering scheme used may make instant winning possible. Suchan embodiment constitutes a non-virtual version of the game and methodsaccording to embodiments herein.

In summary, embodiments of the present invention provide a system andmethod for playing a card game based on wagering on a betting number orrange of betting numbers and a revealed sum of face values of dealtcards. The card game may be played manually on a non-virtual playingsurface or may be played as an electronic game on a processor-basedplatform, in accordance with certain embodiments of the presentinvention.

While the invention has been described with reference to certainembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. In addition, manymodifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material tothe teachings of the invention without departing from its scope.Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to theparticular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include allembodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A method of playing a card game, said method comprising: preselectingat least one number from a set or a range of numbers during said currentround of play, dealing at least two playing cards and revealing a faceof each of said dealt playing cards during said current round of play;summing face values of said revealed playing cards to form at least onesummed value for said current round of play; comparing said at least onesummed value to a preselected number or range of numbers for each wagerfor said current round of play to determine any winning preselectednumbers; and indicating any winning preselected number for said currentround of play.
 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprisingthe steps of, placing at least one wager by betting a monetary amount onthe preselcted number or range of numbers during a current round ofplay; and paying any winning wager according to said monetary amount betand odds associated with said winning wager for said current round ofplay.
 3. A processor-based system for implementing a virtual card game,said processor-based system comprising: at least one processor toexecute playing of said virtual card game, and wherein said playing ofsaid virtual card game comprises the steps of choosing a betting numberor a range of betting numbers during a current round of play, dealing atleast two playing cards and revealing a face of each of said dealtplaying cards during the current round of play, summing face values ofthe revealed playing cards to form at least one summed value for thecurrent round of play, comparing the at least one summed value to thebetting number or the range of betting numbers for the current round ofplay to determine any winning betting number or the range of bettingnumbers; a program memory interfacing to said at least one processor tostore software associated with said virtual card game; a user interfaceconnecting to said at least one processor to allow a player of saidvirtual card game to select various functional inputs of said virtualcard game; an image memory interfacing to said at least one processor tostore image data of said virtual card game to be displayed; a displaycontroller interfacing to said image memory to extract image data fromsaid image memory in a controlled manner and to convert said image datato video data; and a display interfacing to said display controller toaccept said video data from said display controller such that said videodata is presented to said player on said display.
 4. The systemaccording to claim 3, further comprising the steps of, placing at leastone wager by betting a monetary or psuedo-monetary amount and paying anywinning wager according to the monetary or psuedo-monetary amount betand odds associated with the winning wager for the current round ofplay.